Sign In
Not register? Register Now!
Pages:
3 pages/≈825 words
Sources:
2 Sources
Style:
MLA
Subject:
Literature & Language
Type:
Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
Document:
MS Word
Date:
Total cost:
$ 10.8
Topic:

Literary Analysis: Fyodor Dostoevskys Crime and Punishment

Essay Instructions:

Literary Analysis: Prose
Read the following excerpt from Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment. In a well-written essay, convey the author's rhetorical stance that when one commits a crime, a guilty conscience and un-confessed sin cause more torment and anguish than physical punishment. You may include other references in addition to your comments on this excerpt. (Tip: For enrichment, read the whole text of Crime and Punishment.)
“If he has a conscience he will suffer for his mistake. That will be his punishment-as well as the prison…”
Siberia. On the banks of a broad solitary river stands a town, one of the administrative centers of Russia; in the town there is a prison. In the prison the second-class convict Rodion Raskolnikov has been confined for nine months. Almost a year and a half has passed since his crime. There had been little difficulty about his trial. The criminal adhered exactly, firmly, and clearly to his statement. He did not confuse nor misrepresent the facts, nor soften them in his own interest, nor omit the smallest detail. He explained every incident of the murder, the secret of the piece of wood with a strip of metal which was found in the murdered woman's hand. He described how he had taken her keys, what they were like, as well as the chest and its contents; he explained the mystery of Lizaveta's murder; described how Koch and, after him, the student knocked, and repeated all they had said to one another; how he afterwards had run downstairs and heard Nikolay and Dmitri shouting; how he had hidden in the empty flat and afterwards gone home…The sentence, however, was more merciful than could be expected, perhaps partly because the criminal had not tried to justify himself, but had rather shown a desire to exaggerate his guilt.
… In prison, how it happened, he did not know. But all at once something seemed to seize him and fling him at her (Sonia's) feet. He wept and threw his arms round her knees. They were both pale and thin; but those sick pale faces were bright with the dawn of a new future, of a full resurrection into a new life…Under his pillow lay the New Testament. He took it up mechanically. The book belonged to Sonia; it was the one from which she had read the raising of Lazarus to him…But that is the beginning of a new story-the story of the gradual renewal of a man, the story of his gradual regeneration, of his passing from one world into another, of his initiation into a new unknown life. That might be the subject of a new story…
Criteria for writing this essay:
3 pages
Be sure to analyze tone, metaphor, simile, diction, stylization, and most importantly, the core meaning of the selection
please make sure free on plagiarism,thank you again.

Essay Sample Content Preview:
Name:
Professor’s Name:
Course:
Date:
Literary Analysis: Prose
Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment is a novel that is centered on morality, criminality, and the works of guilt. Written from the perspective of Raskolnikov ( the main character), the book also ventures into the minds of other characters and at times reveals their thoughts. Raskolnikov is a proud individual who despite his deplorable state of existence, is fueled by his enormous pride to alienation. He fancied himself better than most people and therefore, rejects anything that seems to put him and other people on the same pedestal including collective morality. To him, he was the epitome of humanity and was, therefore, prepared to test the limits of the freedom he had by engaging in evil. Raskolnikov fancied himself a savior and an anomaly and thought he was entitled to committing criminal acts in the name of a higher purpose or calling. One can say he was delusional, but as one comes to learn later, his plans come to an abrupt halt when he kills the pawnbroker and her sister. Having started as a rebel, the weight of the acts finally get to Raskolnikov and ultimately, he comes to terms with statutes of society and accepts the sentencing of men (Thompson, np). Dostoevsky idea of this novel is indeed ingenious, and it is never enough to read the story once.
The novel encompasses different themes, and the tone often varies in different scenes. At some instances, the tone becomes emotional, despairing, and also confessional. However, the tone that characterizes the entire novel is resigned. When the tone of a novel is resigned, the main character, in this case, Raskolnikov, eventually opts to accept something he had never desired and one that did not fit into his narrative or character. As stated earlier, Raskolnikov was a rebel and always thought himself as exceptional and above the mere rules and regulations that other men were subjected to. Nothing, including falling in love seemed possible because he perceived himself as beyond such trivial issues or ‘men’. However, as the novel comes to a close, Raskolnikov comes to terms with the fact that he does love Sonya and through her, he finds redemption and even accepts the sentencing of men.
Dostoevsky also made use of syntax and diction in his novel to help grow, and best tell the story. Crime and Punishment was written in the third person and as stated before, the perspectives often shifts, but readers get to...
Updated on
Get the Whole Paper!
Not exactly what you need?
Do you need a custom essay? Order right now:

👀 Other Visitors are Viewing These MLA Essay Samples:

HIRE A WRITER FROM $11.95 / PAGE
ORDER WITH 15% DISCOUNT!